Len

You will love Stoke. I'm pretty sure most people do, even if they normally attend 'upront' (Newies) type events. You simply can't not enjoy an event where there's 6 million people all in the same hall dancing away....ok, slight exageration, 2000 people but that's a lot of people giving some on the dance floor! Keep us all posted on where you do choose to go and whether our 'advise' helped - Good luck. All the best, Len.

Ever given up soul? I just wondered if there's anyone 'out there' who has made a conscious decision to 'give up soul' (as in, going to events) and if so, how did you get on? / How did you handle Sat night telly? / Have you just had to come back? Etc. I find the Soul Scene 'all consuming' sometimes (Way of life / 'Right On' an' all that) but it can make one lose sight of other things in life if you're not careful thus becoming a 'Northern Soul Victim'. I mean, I felt slightly guilty for not supporting The Wilton the other week as I wanted to take my kids swimming - How absurd is that FFS?!!! One step back and I'm 'suitably embarrassed' for feeling that way. Don't worry, this isn't a 'Mark Bicknell' "I'm retiring I tell you!" type thread (He he, how ya doing mate?) - I'd be interested in your views actually Mark. I mean, what is it like to go 'Cold 'Soul' turkey'? I know a lot of you guys stopped going out when you had kids which was more than likely to do with lack of money at that stage of life and probably didn't give it much thought. On a personal level, being involved in running events and D.Jing etc adds to it somewhat as you can imagine. I know I could cut back on all that but staying in every Sat night? - As my 'long suffering' wife, Nina often tells me - I would be like a 'Bear in a cage' and would somewhat annoy her! I know the obvious answer is getting the balance right (Hang on, that rings a bell) but I am genuinely interested if 'giving up soul' (going to events) is actually 'humanly' possible! By the way, you lot are the only people in the 'god damn' universe that could ever understand where the heck I'm coming from! J...The strange world of .... Is this the first Soul-source personal advice thread? ...'Dear Mike'.....lol All the best, Len.

Go to Burnley - It's not an oldies venue but if you still have that 'Hungry for fresh sounds' thing going on like you would have had 'back in the day', you will love it. It is mainly up-tempo 60's and we all have to take it in turns to get on the dance floor as it's packed right up until the very last record, which is closely followed by a chorus of "Crumbs, is that the time?"! Don't worry, there's still room to dance really (not sure if enough for your 'Spin Drops' though!)... 'The Spin Drops' - That would be a great 'Cover up' title! lol Burnley is one hell of an experience and you will come out the other end like a 'Happy Husk' - I'm sure I lost half a stone the last time I went! On the other hand, if (Like many) you wish to go on a nostalgia trip, go to Stoke as that is also fantastic. You have returned after a few years and as Chalky said, things have changed (moved on) so try not to be too quick to criticise and embrace all the sounds that will be new to your ears. All the best, Len.

'Crying Clown' - An absolutely beautiful record. I was told this was actually a Mecca sound, is that correct? All the best, Len.

Evening Irish

Nice one Sean (Well four) - I'm hearing things were pretty great last night at Burnley mate - I hope to get to the next one....But please, not too much Midtempo - It would be criminal! - That's also 'my humble opinion' - Confused? - Yep! lol All the best, Len.

I can understand you have to keep a nighter 'going' but a break of three or four Midtempo sounds every so often can actually do a nighter the world of good (In my humble oppiniun of course) I do see your point ref ending a set with a slowie - I wouldn't say 'slowie' though, I would rephrase it and say - a set shouldn't end with an 'ender' as that should be (As it says) - At the end! I think there is a subtle difference between an 'ender' and a midtempo track that could be played at any time (Again, that's just my humble opinion) it's called contrast. All the best, Len.

Frustrating isnt it mate? I forgivingly put it down to folk that may have missed a lot of the music that was played in the 80's and 90's, as that was when a lot more Midtempo was played (and thoroughly enjoyed) so the up-tempo style is in their 'Soul D.N.A' - Nothing wrong with that and I fully respect that, as long as they respect those of us that do like the Mid-tempo - it just happens to be in our 'Soul D.N.A' that's all... I'll get some sleep.......Then probably edit this early in the morning along with all the other loons! lol All the best, Len.

These Memories defo a record that can be played at soul nights or nighters. I'll be playing it out this weekend at Soul in The Bowl at Rushden (Hope that's not seen as a plug as it's relevant to the subject) All the best, Len.

He he, you know I am mate, the majority of people want a 'party' though don't they? All the best, Len.

Unfortunately 'The Masses' do - Or we end up with some empty halls I'm afraid - Wish more had your uncompromising attitude though mate! All the best, Len.

Hi Benji, No, I think it's a different song mate. All the best, Len.

This is nice to, it's the other side to 'The Limitations - I'm Lonely, I'm Troubled' All the best, Len.

By Chr*st - I have this record but didn't know! - That's what this thread's all about - Thankyou! All the best, Len.

As discussed on other threads, many feel the same as you - In general, "Today's Soul Scene is just a 'pastiche' of the real Soul Scene" (copyright Jem) But hey, stay positive and pick out the good bits - The music and there's still lot's of nice, funny, genuine people about (They're usually the quiet ones) J Right, back 'on topic' - I know John Manship tends to sometimes get a bit of stick for prices etc. I personally like the guy and know he absolutely loves the music; he puts in the hours / hard work etc, and so is there really anything wrong with him making money? I personally don't think there is. Also, ref his prices - Don't forget he has to pay 20% vat on all sales and he has staff (Just a thought) All the best, Len.

Yes, Mr Soft Touch is great, I played that at Coop's 'Nowt Fast, Nowt Furious' nite at Grantham which incidentally comes highly recommended. I'll seek out the Bill Merriweather... ...Later - I'm getting 'Nowt done' here at work - Doh! (Again) lol Cheers, Len.

Doh! He he, oh well, I can't help getting enthusiastic about this thread! ... I have two 70's bootlegs at home... don't tell anyone though...One was a present from Gilly mind so worth a lot more I'm gonna go back over this thread again, there's some great tracks, some of which I am aware of, some not - What fun! All the best, Len.

It's funny, this thread is almost a bit 'dark' as in - 'coming out' and admitting you like ballads / Mid-tempo tunes is almost taboo to some folk on today's scene...Well - "We're here, get used to it" 'Girlfriend' J lol Has this one been posted yet? (I didn't see it) - It's a record that some are very aware of but others I know are not, due to the fact that the main side is such a monster. It's the other side to 'Gwen Owens - Just Say Your Wanted' The unfortunate thing for me is, I really want a copy for this side but it's such an expensive record, so I am waiting for a copy to be for sale where the 'Just Say Your Wanted' side is so kn*ckered it doesn't play, thus the record being virtually worthless! J (P.M me if anyone 'out there' just so happens to have one for sale as described!) lol All the best, Len.

One more before a 'Very Happy Chappy' goes to bed - The C.O.D's Pretty Baby - One of my absolute faves. (Other side to 'I'm A Good Guy') This is a record that my mum rang Mick Smith up for on the 9.00am 'dead line' (As I was at School) and to this day I'm still not over the 'shear devastation' she caused me over the fact that she asked for a record by 'The Cods' (Yes the blo*dy fish!) Apparently it took a while for Mick to work out 'what the devil she was going on about' - A 15 year old Lenny was not amused! J Nite Nite x All the best, Len. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r35QYZ7ayD4

Oh my God!...Oh my God!!...Oh my God!!!... Oh my God!...Oh my God!!...Oh my God!!!... Oh my God!...Oh my God!!...Oh my God!!!... Oh my God!...Oh my God!!...Oh my God!!!... Oh my God!...Oh my God!!...Oh my God!!!...I can't believe I've only just seen this FANTASTIC THREAD!!! I've skipped through it and 'ticked like' so many times so forgive me if you get a notification that confuses you as it will be for a post from ages ago!!! I hope I haven't skipped through too fast and missed that someone else may have put this one up - Other side to Mel Brit She'll Come Running Back - Absolute Midtempo Perfection. All the best you 'Romantic lot!' Len. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2J-NL97NAk

I would imagine a busy weekender would be a good earner, that's maybe why there's now a few of them. Nowadays there's a lot more people on the scene than when it was just Cleethorpes which made a loss for the first few years. The amount of work involved organising a weekender must be tremendous and I wouldn't think many would put themselves through all that stress just for the love of it alone (Maybe a small minority) I think this amount of work warrants some financial reward at least and great if it's not the only reason for someone to be putting one on of course. All the best, Len.

He he, me to - As discussed aye Joan?! Len.

Mmmmm - The 'Plot' thickens...I wonder if Frost would have 'cracked the case' (Not sure if Frost was shown in Aus - Frost was one of the best detectives known to England)... ***If it is something awful - Apologies in advance but this is a public forum and at this time, the 'why's and what for's' are anyone's guess *** All the best, Len.

Anything could have happened in the guy's life (a death or illness to someone close etc) I personally would wait two weeks, after that put the said records back on sale but keep his deposit safe for at least a month. Or if you able, in two weeks time when you put the records back on sale send him his deposit back with a kind 'e' mail. Something must have happened in his life to detract him from a) The money he's already sent and b) Leaving records he is expecting! - Come on anyone on here knows the antisipation waiting for a 'delivery' - Something very important must have happened. All the best, Len. P.s - I nearly asked what the records were but thought that really is a bit sad of me!

...And that's where you are wrong my friend... All the best, Len.